Jannik Sinner has escaped a ban despite testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid, with the authorities working rapidly to clarify their judgment. It’s been reported that world No.1 was found to contain residues of Clostebol in his urine during the Indian Wells Open in March, a tournament where he reached the semi-finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner, 23, properly blamed the results on a healing spray that had been used to treat a cut suffered by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.

Despite an unintentional doping infraction carrying the consequence of a two-year suspension, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Sinner’s argument that Naldi had accidentally exposed Sinner to the chemical through body massages.

Crucially, the ITA determined that Sinner bears ‘no culpability or negligence’ for the failed tests. The small of Clostebol, reported to be less than a billionth of a gram, was deemed by an independent panel to be too small to have a performance-enhancing effect.

Clostebol is regularly found in medical products used to treat swelling and irritation, as well as treatments for muscle wasting diseases and certain types of anaemia. It has long been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances.

A provisional suspension was immediately imposed on Sinner, but the Italian challenged the ruling, and the ban was overturned. Since being exonerated, he’s made a statement vowing to move on from the saga.

“I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me,” he said. “I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping programme. I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”

Sinner’s failed tests came just six weeks after he was crowned Australian Open champion, signifying the first Grand Slam win of his career. During the ITA investigation, he also reached the semi-final of the French Open, again beaten in the final four by Alcaraz.

But the withdrawal Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros still propelled him to the top of the rankings. It has been established however, that Sinner will lose the points from his run at Indian Wells, a concept which may potentially damage his standing as No.1.